Smoke filling the Flagstaff sky today from the Slide fire. Photo by Amy Dryden
Two weeks ago we camped with our tent trailer at beautiful Cave Springs Campground in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona. We have lived for decades in the area, but never actually camped in the canyon previously.
Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon
View from our campsite
Crossing Oak Creek at the entrance to Cave Springs Campground.
Home sweet tent trailer
Cliffs above Cave Springs Campground
Seep Monkeyflowers at the creek
Take it easy driving through the camping area
Highway 89A
Hillside red rocks
New Oak leaves
Cave Springs ferns
Highway 89A
Ponderosas on the western slope
Cliffs above Cave Springs
Brushy hillside
Yesterday, Tuesday, May 20, a devastating wildfire started in the canyon south of the Cave Springs Campground, and has been whipped along by high winds. Twenty-four hours later it is estimated at 4500 acres and has topped out of the canyon and approaches Flagstaff, Arizona. ABC News 15, reports at this time the fire is zero percent contained. (Air15 fire photos at the link)
Why is Arizona so... 
We are camp hosts in the beautiful Cave Springs campground along with four other couples. On Tuesday when the fire was reported we were in Flagstaff replenishing our supplies. When we received a phone call that there was a fire in the canyon, our hearts sank as no-one was being allowed into the canyon. Our cats were trapped in our motor home with no way for us to get them. Our new friends Tammy and Stuart, with the assistance of Mike took it upon themselves in a time of panic and terror (needing to get their own motor homes and cars out) to get into our motor home and rescue our babies. We are so grateful and this act of kindness will never be forgotten. Milton and Lindy (cat types) are all the world to us. Judy and Joe Wood
I can’t imagine how scary all that must have been. Do you know how Cave Springs campground has fared? My husband grew up in Flag and we raised our family visiting Oak Creek frequently.
Do you know if your motor home survived?
Joe & Judy — see reply below (under Maril)
Joe & Judy, our hearts go out to you but we were so relieved to know your kitties are safe. We camped there the end of April & met you. We have Zippy the small black/tan terrier mix with crazy wire hair and Izzy the blue cream Persian (in our 19’Roadtrek).
We were devastated to know of the fire right there and being birders, we’re especially saddened for all the migrants and nesters/fledglings — couldn’t be a worse time. And the resident pair of Great Blues. Can you share any news with us about Cave Spgs — was it destroyed? Are the Great Blues there? Have you been able to return? Is the campground open again?
We live in north county san diego, and came too close (once again) to being evacuated with the fire here a few weeks ago. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your babies. Your happy, welcoming faces made us feel happily at home immediately. We’re wishing the best for you and the others.
Linda & John Henry
lindaandjohn@roadrunner.com
So sad. I wonder what the devastation looks like now.